Apple has released the Release Candidate builds for iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27 following its September event. The updates are now in their final testing stage ahead of Apple’s public software rollout on September 14.
The RC builds arrive after a full summer of beta testing and are expected to closely match the software Apple will release to everyone next week. Apple can still issue another RC if testing uncovers a critical issue.
iPadOS 27 RC
The iPadOS 27 Release Candidate is now available to developers and public beta testers through Software Update in Settings.
iPadOS 27 brings Siri AI, expanded Apple Intelligence features, Liquid Glass refinements, and other system improvements to compatible iPads. The update also includes several features Apple revealed during its September event after initially previewing iPadOS 27 at WWDC.
The most advanced Siri AI features require an iPad with an M4 chip or later and at least 12GB of memory.
watchOS 27 RC
Apple has also released the watchOS 27 Release Candidate for testing.
The September event revealed additional watchOS 27 features that were not announced when Apple first introduced the software at WWDC. Those additions are now included in the RC alongside the features already available throughout the beta testing period.
The update will be available for compatible Apple Watch models when watchOS 27 launches publicly on September 14.
tvOS 27 RC
The tvOS 27 Release Candidate is available to developers and public beta testers ahead of the final release.
tvOS 27 introduces updates to the Apple TV experience, including Liquid Glass design changes and other improvements across the platform. The RC represents the final testing stage before the update reaches Apple TV users.
visionOS 27 RC
Apple has also released the visionOS 27 Release Candidate for Apple Vision Pro.
visionOS 27 adds new capabilities for spatial computing, along with Apple Intelligence and other system improvements introduced during the beta cycle.
Developers can use the RC to make sure their visionOS apps are ready for the public release on September 14.
Public Release On September 14
Apple will release iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27 to the public on September 14.
Release Candidate builds are generally the versions Apple intends to ship publicly. However, another RC could still arrive if Apple discovers a critical issue that needs to be fixed before launch.
The timing gives developers only a few days to test their apps against the final software before Apple’s latest operating system updates reach users.
